Driving Differences: Austria vs. Tunisia Explained
A comprehensive comparison of driving regulations between Austria and Tunisia reveals significant contrasts in road use and safety. While Austria boasts well-defined lane markings and variable speed limits, Tunisia enforces stricter alcohol policies and different licensing requirements. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience in either nation.
Lanes
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
tunisia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not typically used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
tunisia:
Not typically used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
tunisia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
austria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Emergency Services
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay